The Boston Red Sox's pursuit of Jon Lester appears to be going nowhere. The star pitcher is currently finalizing negotiations with a team and it appears the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs are the frontrunners to land the free agent. The Red Sox pulled out all the stops in trying to get Lester back with the team, but now they are starting to shift their focus to plan B which includes several trade options during the MLB Winter Meetings.
According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox will attempt to trade for Cole Hamels if Lester is not an option. The Philadelphia Phillies have had the pitcher on the market for almost a year now and have yet to make a move, unsatisfied with the return price for him. However, the Red Sox have what it takes to get a deal done. Boston has some of the best high-level prospects that they can now afford to move after additions like Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. That should be enough to win Philadelphia over.
While Hamels is a given, is Jordan Zimmermann the dark horse trade? According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Washington Nations are interested in making a deal with the pitcher this offseason. Zimmermann has one of the more favorable contracts to take on. He has just two years and $24 million left before he hits free agency. According to Olney, the Nationals do not believe they will be able to sign him after his contract is up and would prefer to trade now instead of later.
Ian Kennedy is also on the radar for the Red Sox. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes Kennedy is being viewed as a second or third starter in the Boston lineup and one that they could acquire by trading a player like Yoenis Cespedes or a prospect. While Kennedy is not viewed at the same level as Lester or even Hamels, he is a solid pitcher and could be a good grab in the long run.
There are certainly long-shot options for Boston with Lester out. Max Scherzer and James Shields are sitting on the market and will grab the attention of every team who misses out on Lester. Both pitchers will be a big contract for Boston, one they may not be willing to take on.
